The Pittsburg State University Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency consisting of fourteen (13) full-time commissioned police officers. The Department maintains 24-hour dispatch services, 365 days a year. Police officers are radio dispatched to all calls for emergency or routine services. Police reports are also taken at the University Police Department in Shirk Hall.

Officers of this department receiving information in reference to a crime occurring within the jurisdiction of this department immediately initiate a written report on a Kansas Standard Offense form.

Reports dealing with criminal activity and listing a suspect are brought to the attention of a supervisor for further processing. These reports are sent to the Crawford County Attorney's office for possible prosecution. The final disposition of these cases is at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney.

Sexual Violence or Sexual Assault is a felony crime. It should always be reported immediately to the University Police, City Police, a resident hall director or assistant, whether the act of violence be by a stranger, an acquaintance, or a "date rape." University personnel will assist in the report process. The procedures outlined below are designed to protect the student who has been hurt by these behaviors and to stop the offensive behavior. The due process rights of alleged offenders are protected, as well as the rights of the victim. Time is essential.

Women should NOT change clothes, shower, bathe, or douche. If possible, do not go to the toilet. Save all clothing, linens, or other items that may have been touched by the assailant for the police officers who will be responsible for evidence. Do not wash clothing, linens or other items that may have been touched by the assailant. All physical evidence, including seminal fluids, hair, blood types and scrapings of flesh from the victim's fingernails are used in court.

Go to a safe location as soon as possible. If you can find a friend to accompany you, that would be even safer. From the safe location call:

or Contact the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) hotline at 1-888-594-SAFE(7233). This hotline will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The SART members are PSU students who have been trained to provide emotional and information support to victims or to people who care about victims.

Alternatively, you may go directly to the University Police Department, 1501 S. Joplin (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or to the Mount Carmel Medical Center Emergency Room, Centennial & Rouse.

You may request that the police investigation be conducted by a police officer of your gender (i.e. a female police officer for a female student, a male police officer for a male student) if available. As a victim of sexual assault, your name should not be released to the news media.

Be prepared to go to the Mount Carmel Medical Center Emergency Room, Centennial & Rouse, and request a medical examination by the Emergency Room physician using the Sexual Assault Kit required for evidence in cases of sexual assault. This is done free of charge to the victim. You should get to the hospital as soon as it is safe and possible. The University or City Police or Sheriff's Deputy will be able to arrange transportation to the hospital as soon as an assault that has taken place is reported.

Make formal complaint against the assailant. A formal complaint for legal action against the assailant should be made to the County Attorney through the Police Department (no fee will be charged). For criminal prosecution a victim has two years to file a report from the day of the crime but it should be done as quickly as possible.

In order to be eligible for compensation under the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation, the crime must be reported to the law enforcement agency where the crime was committed within 72 hours of the event unless the Crime Victims Compensation Board finds there was good cause for the failure to report. The victim must be completely cooperative with the law enforcement agency. The victim must file a claim with the Crime Victims Compensation Board within one year of the occurrence of the crime.